RFUEA Ground, Rugby union stadium on Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kenya
The RFUEA Ground is a rugby union stadium on Ngong Road in Nairobi, built as the home of Kenya's national team and the headquarters of the Rugby Football Union of Kenya. Its pitch is natural grass, with the main stand and most seating on the western side so spectators do not face the setting sun during evening matches. Bougainvillea shrubs line the fence, and four rows of trees on the eastern side serve as a windbreak.
The idea of a dedicated rugby ground was first raised in 1930, but only in 1951 did the Kenya government grant the union a 10-acre plot of rough ground beside Ngong Road. Funds came from member clubs, life-seat sales and a £7,500 loan from the Rugby Football Union, the first it ever made to an overseas union. The pitch was graded in 1953 and grassed in 1954.
The ground is the home of Kenya Harlequin Football Club, which shares a link with London Harlequins, once based at Twickenham. It also hosts the Safari Sevens, one of Africa's largest annual sevens tournaments, where teams such as Samoa, Zimbabwe and the British Army have played.
The venue sits at an elevation of approximately 1,650 meters, which may require adjustment for visitors engaging in physical activity. It is wise to prepare for the thinner air when arriving for matches or training events.
The ground hosts the Safari Sevens tournament, which features teams from countries including Samoa, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. This annual event draws players and spectators who enjoy rugby's faster seven-a-side format.
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